Tag Archives: fun

Good morning!! It has been weeks since I have posted anything- sorry to have kept you all anxiously waiting 😉 ( in reality I am sure no one is anxiously waiting- that was my way of being funny… haha.)

Anywho… my husband and I finally printed out the tutorial for the PVC Fort that is all over Pinterest. We went to Home Depot and got all necessary parts, except for the 1″ slip side outlet elbow piece. I had to got to another hardware store for those- the cost for all the pieces for the PVC fort was about 50 dollars… It was a little more than I was expecting, but I really wanted to put this together for the kids.

It was pretty simple to put together- I even did it with out my husband! The fort is actually really BIG!! I had to rearrange the whole playroom to make it fit, and it still is just a little too big for our play room, but it is going to stay considering we paid for it and I just made the cover for it.

So with all that being said, I have a very basic guide to making a cover for your PVC Fort… although it is NOT perfect, it looks neater than just sheets being hung over the top. I was actually a little embarrassed to post this- because it isn’t perfect, and the colors I am not in love with- I am more of a BRIGHT & COLORFUL decorator. BUT… I did not want to buy any fabric, because my grandma just gave me a whole bunch of old linens. So I decided to use what I had in the sewing closet- AND… I wanted this house to be used by my daughter and my son- so I couldn’t get all frilly and lacy with it 🙂

I have to warn you that the very front of the playhouse panel, the one with the door on it… was not cut properly. I am a believer in ripping material- for the most part, ripping the material creates a straight line VERY quickly… BUT if you have a cheap material, sometimes the ripping going awry… and I think that is what happened with the white panel. I will have to sew some extra material on to that panel at some point- and when I do, I think that the cover will fit properly… I will not be fixing this anytime soon. haha. It is good enough for me at this point.

So what you see is what you get. For the most part the measurements are pretty accurate- the reason it looks off a bit is because of the front panel. My roof is also a little BIG… so you may want to remeasure your roof.

ROOF: 39″ x 55″ you will need 2 pieces with that measurement

Triangles to the roof: 39″x55″ this is a rectangle piece- but one you have the piece fold your material to make a square an then cut to make a triangle. ( I hope that makes sense )

Sides: 55″x55″ you will need 4

You can make your cover as simple or as elaborate as you like.

I added a door- I used an old VERY LARGE Pillowcase- I just sewed that on to the front panel. I cut the top and the side of the door so that it can open. I used velcro to keep the door closed.

I created a window in the door. I used TULLE for a screen ( I thought that was a pretty cool idea ) than I outlined the window with some extra ribbon I had.

The window on the side has ruffle on the top, tulle for the screen again and then I had some extra rick rack that I used to border the window.

For the front of the house as a trim- I used an old bed skirt that I had.

Sew the two roof panels together.

Next, sew the triangles to the roof panels- start by pinning one side ( short side) of the triangle to the roof panel, then pin the other short side of the triangle to the other side of the roof panel, do this to both sides of the roof. Then sew. Make sure it fits on your fort before proceeding. If it fits than go ahead and start sewing your side panels to the roof.

If you are making windows and such, do this before you sew to the roof.

My daughter and I were reading a childrens book called “Mommy loves me”, and on one of the pages, the little child is playing with a fabric dollhouse with rooms and little rabbit figurines. Clover, my 3 1/2 year old daughter says to me, ” Mommy, do you think that I could get one of those?” as she points to the fabric dollhouse. I thought, hmmmmm… and I tell her, I am not sure. Let me see what I can find on the internet. Well… I could have bought her one from some website, Etsy sells a few or I could have got a used one on eBay, OR I could make her one myself. I obviously chose the latter. I actually found my tutorial online and that is how I made Clover’s doll house. This is the awesome blog that I used: http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2008/08/fabric-dollhouse-tutorial.html

I have added a few extra tips but I also used some of her patterns- I am not techy enough to make these great outlines on the computer.

I am sharing it with you now in hopes that you can make one for your little love in your life. Clover just absolutely LOVES this little dollhouse and it was very fun to make! Enjoy!

Materials:

Fabric for the interior: 9 inches by 21 inches and two pieces 6 inches by 9 inches

Fabric for the exterior:9″ x 21″ and two pieces 6″ x 9″

2 10.5″x 13.5″ sheets of plastic canvas (I used #10 mesh, but because the store I went to was sold out of anymore #10, I bought extra canvas pieces of #7. That should work fine as well.)

Batting- enough to cover all the pieces of plastic canvas. So not much.

Duct tape- this holds the batting on the plastic canvas.

Buttons and elastic cord, tiny hair bands or velcro. After making mine with elastic cord and buttons, I thought I should have done velcro, because my daughter is having a hard time opening and closing with the buttons and elastic cord.

Fabric strips for the handle. I used a fabric head band that I had in my craft box for when Clover was a baby ( I made her several head bands). I just cut it in half and it worked perfect.

Wrap the batting around the plastic canvas and then use the duck tape to hold it in place.

Next put your 6″x9″ fabrics right sides together, but place the house shaped canvas piece in between the fabric pieces. Pin down the sides, and I used a fabric marker to make the lines of the outside of the house. You want the pieces to fit nice and snug in the fabric.

Once pinned, remove the plastic canvas from the fabric and sew where your fabric pen marks are around the house shaped piece. Leave the bottom OPEN. Do this to both pieces. Once sewn, turn the fabric right side out and put the plastic canvas piece back in the fabric.

So now you have two end panels that look like this.

If you want to add any extra stuff to the larger fabrics this is the time to do it. My daughter is a picker and if I don’t have the applique’s SEWN on, they WILL be picked off. So I had to sew my extras on my fabric. I got some really cute felt flowers, some glittery felt and different colored felt. I made some windows, flowers and a glittery heart and sewed them on the right side of the fabrics. Make sure that you align your plastic canvas pieces correctly on the fabric so you sew on your flowers and any extra things on the right spots. You don’t want your window on the bottom of the house- you want it on the side of the house or front of the house. So just align correctly.

Using the 9″ x 21″ pieces, place the fabric right sides facing. The following should then be sandwiched between the fabrics, so that their edges / ends will be caught when you sew along the side edge of the fabrics:
……….one of the end panels ( house looking piece)
……….elastic loops (or flap for velcro or zip or ribbons for ties at both ends – whichever you chose) I have to say, those elastic loops are a PAIN to sew down. Mine did not want to stay attached to the fabric. It seemed like my stitches went right around it but would not secure the elastic band on the fabric. So make sure you stitch over it A LOT with your sewing machine! I did straight stitch and zigzag over and over and over again because they kept coming off. And if you are making this for a little person, they are ROUGH with their toys and you want this little house to be durable 🙂

………one of the handles

Sew from line A-B, then C-D.

Next add the other end panel ( house shaped canvas piece) to the other side of the rectangle and the other elastic loops. And sew down the long side of the rectangle.

Turn right side OUT.

Next start putting in your plastic batting pieces. They should go in like this diagram-

Put a pin between each piece to hold it in place. Turn the OPENED end over, and pin. While doing this, add the other handle and elastic loop. Sew the end closed. The handle and the elastic loop should be secured now.

Next sew a few inches between each piece to hold it in place- I guess you could sew all the way across if you wanted. It is your preference.

Hand sew the edge of the end panel to the wall and roof panel on each side, so that it forms this shape:

Then sew on your buttons to match up with your elastic loops. Clip your threads…and you are done!!

I made this striped long sleeve thermal a while ago, but to add some pizazz to it, I decided to add some different colored stitching around the neck and the cuff of the sleeve. I really liked the way that it turned out. I also added more material to the bottom of the shirt to make it longer- I like my shirts on the longer side vs. shorter side. Very easy to spruce up any shirt, and just adding a little bit of length will make me wear this thermal A LOT more!

This shirt I bought over 8 years ag0- I really LIKED it, when I bought it…. BUT I haven’t worn it in such a long time because I just don’t like it anymore. I decided to cut the sleeves off and make the arm pits bigger and I could wear a cute bra under so if my bra shows under my arm pits it would be cute! Easy, fun and wearable!

Sooo…. it has been a long time since I have posted a blog- I figured I better get something up soon. I hope you will like this post- it is very simple and easy. Maybe you will make one of your own!

When I was pregnant with my first born, Clover Grace, I was given my nephews old car seat. I thought, AWESOME!! Something I don’t have to buy!! But… I wanted to change up the cover and make it super girly and cute. So, my mom and I cut out a bunch of bright and fun material with pattern edged scissors. Put the material on iron on backing, and ironed the material squares onto the old car seat cover. After that, we zig-zagged stitched the squares all over the car seat to make it secure to the cover.

I sewed a ruffle to the top of the car seat to give it a more fun look to it. I added some patches, and made some ribbons and sewed them on as well.

This project did take a while, but it was worth it 🙂 My daughter uses this car seat all the time. She has used this car seat for 2 1/2 years already, and will use it for several more. This was TOTALLY worth doing and she LOVES it!!

My sister asked me if I could make her reusable sandwich bags, produce bags, and utensil holders- I said TOTALLY!! She bought me all the fabric I needed to get her GO GREEN set together-

This is the tutorial for the produce bag. These are awesome to use when you go into Whole Foods, farmers markets, or any other grocery store where you pick up your produce-

You are going to start by cutting your fabric- the bags that I made were used with 18″x22″ fabric. You can make your bag any size you want- smaller or bigger.

Take the LONGER side of your fabric and press the two sides over about 1/4″ inch and only about 2″ long.

Then sew that 2″ crease in the middle- from top of bag to the end of the 2 inch crease.

Next, press the top of the LONG side over about 1/4″, then press again on the same LONG side over about 3/4″. It can be smaller or bigger, depending on what you are going to use for your drawstring. What you are doing here will be what you put your drawstring through- to make it big enough to get the string in easy. Then sew from the bottom of that 3/4″press from side to side.

Then take the two sides and put them together- right sides together. Sew from the bottom of your drawstring opening to the bottom of the bag. I made the seam about 1/2″. You do not want to sew closed the opening for the drawstring. Backstitch the beginning and the end to secure your stitch. If you want to prevent fraying, zig zag stitch after you have sewn your straight stitch. Or use your serger- I don’t have a serger.

Next, sew the bottom of the bag. The same way you did the side. Sew it at 1/2″ seam.

Square off the bottom of the bag- you can measure it or you can eyeball it. I made mine the seam about 1 1/2″ from the point of the bag to the seam. Do the same to the other side. Then cut off your end pieces- this is going to make your bag have a rectangular bottom to it.

Next, to really get the top of the bag secure for the drawstring- use your sewing machine and go over the bottom of the opening a few times- forward and backward to really make it a strong connection.

Whatever you are using for your drawstring- put a large safety pin on your string and use that to go through your bag! Tie the ends together in a knot- and VOILA! You are done!!

Thanks to my lovely sister for telling me to make her these awesome bags!! Otherwise, I would have never made these Go Green or Go Home tutorials!!

So I ended up taking off my turtleneck and doubling it- so I basically did the exact same thing I did for my first turtleneck, and then sewed them together to make it EXTRA big!

This is what it looks like now- I LOOOVE 🙂 The neck is so full- it is perfect! I am going to make another turtleneck, but one that isn’t so scooped, I want the turtle neck to be sitting up higher around my neck- I will post that tutorial when I get some more material 🙂

So I am lucky enough to live in the greater Los Angeles area and have easy access to DOWNTOWN LA- where there is fabric galore!! I grabbed my children and my wonderful hubby and headed downtown LA because I wanted to buy some lace- to my wonderful amazement- it was only $3/yd AND it was 20% off- so I wanted to go ape and buy EVERYTHING! But… my husband kept me to my budgeted spending limit that I had set for myself. I spent $40 and I ended up with TONS of beautiful lace plus a lot more. These are the very fun projects that I made with the lace.

When I had originally made these clothes, I did not have my blog, so I was not taking pictures as I was going along…so I will try to explain how I made them as easy as possible without pictures.

The first dress I made with the lace was for my girlfriends wedding- I wanted a fun dress for a wedding and I wanted to design it myself. This was the real first piece that I made with out a pattern!!!!! I was soooooooo happy with how it turned out. With that being said- I want to encourage you to sew with out a pattern- it was easier than I had expected. I had wanted it to be similar to this dress-

I had no idea what the back of this dress looked like- but I knew how I wanted the back of mine to look and that is all that matters 😉

Here is the finished product of my dress-

I loved wearing my dress to the wedding- I knew no one else would have the same dress, I made it to fit perfectly for me and I got a ton of compliments!! Oh and my husband LOVED it on me too 🙂

The materials I needed were lace, a lining material, I chose a light cotton that was the same color as the lace and tulle- I bought the soft tulle, I should have bought the netting type of tulle- that would have made it more poofy but you live and you learn!

The skirt part was the easiest- measure how long you want your skirt part to be- and cut the same amount of lace, lining, and tulle for the skirt. Baste stitch them all together, gather to fit your body.

For the bodice, I got a tank top from my closet and used that as the pattern for my bodice- the back of the bodice, I wanted more a v-neck- so I changed that up once I got the pattern cut for my body size. I lined the front of my dress with the light weight cotton material, but I wanted my back to be all lace- so I didn’t need to have a lining for my back.

I measured my upper arm circumference because I wanted my sleeves to be tight- make sure you leave space to make your seam- a couture seam is 5/8 inch ( I read that from one of my betsy johnson patterns- so I am assuming that is accurate… haha) so make sure you calculate that when you are cutting your sleeves. I measured the arm hole of my bodice arm hole and made sure it measured the same as the arm hole for my sleeve so everything would fit in just right.

I did not want to have to hem the bottom of my sleeves, so I used the fabric wisely by cutting my sleeves so that the bottom of my sleeve would be on the finished edge of the fabric. That way you already have a beautiful finished sleeve.

Pin the side seams of the bodice together, right sides together, then sew.

Then you pin the skirt to the bodice, right sides together, then sew.

Sew your sleeves together, right sides together. Pin the sleeves to the bodice, right sides together, and sew- then all you need to do is hem the neck and the back of the neck and you are done!!!

The next dress I made was for my sons 1st birthday party- I grabbed a dress from my closet that I could easily use as a pattern. And cut out my dress from that. I wanted sleeves, so I cut out sleeves the same way as I did with the dress above. I wanted a ruffle on this dress as well- so I had some really cute light weight fabric that would be perfect for the lace color. For the ruffle, if you want it really ruffly than I always double the length of the skirt for the ruffle measurement. Once everything was cut- I got busy and I went to town- and I finished this dress in about 45 minutes. SUPER DUPER EASY!!!

The last piece that I made with the lace I bought is this fun cardigan-

I used the same kind of pattern as I did with the wraps- but this one I added sleeves to it and I added a lot of ruffle along the bottom of the wrap- so it turned into a cardigan style with a bustle. As you can see, the sleeves are very long- the end of the sleeve is tight so the material bunches together. I have long arms though too, so I make everything with LONG sleeves, if I put sleeves on 🙂

Thanks for reading my blog!! And I hope you are feeling creative to sew with OUT a paper pattern!!